Electrical switch gear



Aug. 17, 1937. D. c. PRINCE ELECTRICAL SWITCH GEAR Filed 001:. 20, 1934 c um x Patented Aug. 17, 1937 ELECTRICAL swrrcn Gm David arr-mu, Swarthmore, Pa., as sig'nor to General Electric New'York Application October 20,

7 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical switchgear, more particularly to switchgear of the metal clad type for high tension power circuits, and has for its principal object the provision of improved 5 switchgear of the aforesaid type having means for disconnecting and isolating acircuit breaker with respect to associated circuits which shall be electrically eflicient and compact and economical in design.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a sing-1e phase switchgear unit embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the leadin conductor bushings including the disconnecting and isolating apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2a is a sectional view of similar apparatus of more general application embodying my invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along 5 the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a detailed view in section of a part of the switchgear structure shown in Fig. 3.

The single phase switchgear unit for a polyphase metal clad bus and switch station illustrated by Fig. 1 comprises a circuit breaker of suitable design and interrupting capacity, as a single-break oil circuit breaker I of the wellknown oil blast type, and means hereinafter described for disconnecting and isolating the same with respect to the associated circuit. The relatively movable contact structure of the circuit breaker includes a vertically movable rod contact 2 which is connected to one terminal of the breaker and coacting stationary contact structure 3 which is connected to the other terminal of the breaker.

The circuit controlled by the breaker includes a power supply conductor, as a busbar 4 connected to the upper part of the unit, and a branch conductor; as a feeder 5 connected to the lower part of said unit. The terminals of the circuit breaker I, when the circuit breaker is in the open circuit position shown, are disconnected and electrically isolated with respect to the busbar l and feeder 5 by disconnecting and isolating means incorporated in the lead-in conductor bushings 6 and I, respectively. For reasons well known in the art, both terminals of a circuit breaker are preferably disconnected and electrically isolated Company, a corporation of 1934, Serial No. 749,206 (Cl. 200-48) with respect to the associated circuits when the circuit breaker is to be inspected or repaired.

A preferred practice is to disconnect each terminal of the breaker with respect to its associated circuit by a disconnect switch, ground the disconnect switch member which is connected to the breaker terminal, and interpose a grounded shutter or the like betweenthe disconnect switch contact members so that said members are electrically isolated with respect to each other.

In previous designs the above described arrangement generally resulted in comparatively large and expensive structures in order to provide adequate insulation for the higher voltages. For example, the high voltage bushings alone in such designs occupied considerable space and contributed considerably to the cost of the gear.

In accordance with my invention the disconnecting and isolating device is operated in and forms a part of the high voltage bushing for each lead-in conductor or terminal of the circuit breaker.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the upper lead-in conductor bushing 6, for example, comprises an intermediate metallic casing 8 which is grounded and which carries at the opposite ends thereof insulating sleeves 9 and Ill. The casing 8, which is incorporated in the switchgear unit in a manner hereinafter described, comprises a depending cylindrical portion H to which the lower insulator I0 is secured. A plate l2 having a central aperture i2 is mounted on the casing 8 and supports the upper insulator 9. The casing 8 forms with plate I2 a compartment l3 within which the isolating and grounding means are disposed.

The stationary terminals of the disconnecting device (Fig. 2) comprise a contact cap l4 suit-' ably mounted on the insulator 9 and connected, as illustrated, to the busbar l and a lower terminal contact l5 suitably mounted on the lower insulator Ill and in sliding electrical contact, as at I6, with the circuit breaker contact 2. The terminal contact l5 has likewise secured and electrically connected thereto a fixed conducting sleeve I! which extends axially of the insulator HI and sleeve I l- The breaker contact 2 is guided for reciprocal movement within said sleeve and is electrically connected thereto as illustrated.

The movable element of the disconnecting device comprises a contact member I 8 adapted to make butt contact at l8" with the terminal cap ll. A conducting sleeve I8 is secured and electrically connected to the contact l8 and extends axially of the insulator 9 and casing cylinder ll so as tohave telescopic engagement with the lower stationary sleeve I1. Good contact management is obtained between the conducting sleeves l1 and I! as by a contact 20 carried by the sleeve l1 5 and slotted for the purpose of providing a resilient contact.

It will be apparent from the above description that operation of the rod contact 2 does not break the electrical connection between the movable contact ll of the disconnecting switch and the breaker terminal and that the upper breaker terminal is disconnected from the busbar l by lowering of the disconnect contact ll.

Forthe purpose of insulatingthebushingand' l5 disconnecting device with respect to high voltagm, the movable contact I. has depending therefrom spaced, concentrically arranged insulating sleeves 2| and the lower terminal structureat ii supports similarly arranged insulating sleeves 22. The insulating sleeves 2| and 22 overlap at their free ends and extend in telescopic relation to each other as illustrated. An outer fixed insulating sleeve 23 extending throughout the casing cylinder ii is likewise employed. Accordingly in the 25 closed circuit position the current conductors extending centrally'of the bushing are insulated for high potentials throughout the length of the bushing. As used herein, the term "bushing" is intended to embrace structure for enclosing and insulating the high-tension lead-in conductor at a terminal of the circuit breaker.

The operating means for the movable contact II of the disconnecting device comprises in the present instance a motor actuated gear and rack. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the contact It has secured thereto a rack 24 which is cylindrical in form and extends through the insulator I! into the casing I. As best illustrated by Fig.3,therack2lisdrivenbyapairofgears 2| which are connected to a motor 26 through drive shaft 20', parallel gear shafts 21 and gearing 28 and 20. Accordingly rotation of the motor drive shaft 2i causes lowering or elevation of the disconnect contact ll.

' In addition to actuating the contact ll the motor operates the metallic isolating shutters ll disposed in the compartment I 3. Each shutter 30 comprises a plate-like member pivotally mounted at II on the grounded casing l and shaped so as to completely close the lower end of the insulator 9 when the disconnect contact I8 is lowered below that point and the shutters are brought together. Each shutter is likewise provided with an overcenter spring 32 tending to actuate the shutters'by snap action and to hold the shutters in either completely open or closed position.

The shutter actuating-means comprises a bar 38 which is forked at its opposite ends at 34. The

forked portions 34 are in screw-threaded engagement, as illustrated by Fig. 4, with the shafts 21 so that the bar 33 moves transversely during rotation of said shafts. Mounted between the forked members 34 are rotatable members as traveling sleeves 35 freely movable for longitudinal movement on the shafts 21 but keyed, as at 36, in a longitudinal slot 31 with respect to relative rotation. Each sleeve 35 is provided with an offset lug 35' for coacting with the corresponding shutter.

The thread arrangement on the shafts 21 is such that the lugs 35' rotate away from each other, as viewed in Fig. 3, when the disconnecting device is being opened, and towards each other when the contact I l is being elevated to closed position. Accordingly. the shutters 30 are provided with lugs-Ii arranged to be engaged by the rotating lugs II when the contact I. is beneath the shutters for causing initial rotation of said shutters past the overcenter spring positions, the springs 82 completing the shutter closing operation. Similar shutter lugs is are positioned so astobeengagedbytherotatinglugstl' for opening the shutters prior to elevation of the contact ll. As above pointed out, the shutters ll aresuitably groundedtothecasinglsothatwhen disconnect contact I. is beneath the closed shutters the contacts II and it are electrically iso-- lated. In this position the contact ll may likewise be independently grounded, if desired, to the casing I.

The lead-in conductor bushing and disconnecting device above described are particularly adapted for circuit breakers of the single-break type as illustrated. With this arrangement the movable rod contact of the circuit breaker may telescope or be guided within the lead-in conductorbushingsoastodecreasetheoverallheight bushings are disposed in vertical alinement in the upper and lower ends of a circuit breaker tank or casing, the above-described arrangement furthermore provides a direct and sulltantially straight conducting path through the casing which is highly desirable because of the resulting simplicity and compactness in design.

Fig. 2a illustrates a combinediead-in conductor bushing and disconnecting and isolating device for more general application. as for example to the well known double-break oil circuit breaker. The bushing comprises an intermediate metallic casing I at the. opposite ends of which are secured insulators I and II. Conducting terminal caps It and II are mounted on the aforesaid insulators at the opposite ends of the bushing. The intermediate casing I maybe suitably mounted and grounded with respect to the cover structure of the circuit breaker so that the leadin conductor bushing extends through said cover structure. Accordingly, the line conductor is connected to the terminal cap l4 and the movable contact structure of the circuit breaker coacts with the lower terminal II. I

The movable contact I. of the disconnecting device is provided with a conducting sleeve II which is slidable on the conducting snide rod II which is in turn fixed and electrically connected to the lower terminal ll, As in the previous instance, the movable contact I I has mounted for movement therewith concentric insulating sleeves 2| telescoping with the coacting fixed insulating sleeves 22'.

The movable disconnect contact ll may be raisedandloweredbyasuitablerackandgear arrangement 24'2i'. When the contact II is in its completely open circuit position within the grounded casing l the shutter ll, which is electrically connected to casing I, may be slid across the top of the casing over said disconnect contact electrically to isolate the same with respect to the upper terminal contact l4. Suitable actuating means for the shutter and movable disconnect contact may be provided.

- The complete switchgear imit is vertically arranged as illustrated by Fig. 1, the cylindrical circuit breaker casing 40 being vertically positioned and mounted at its lower end on one of the grounded casings 8. The base structure comprises a cylindrical casing 4| forming a terminal and junction chamber for the lower bushingand oftheswitchgear. Wherethelead-in conductor disconnecting device 1 and feeder .5. At the upper part of the circuit breaker casing 40 is mounted a mechanism casing 42 forming in the present instance part of casing 8. The casing 42 5 houses linkage structure 43 connected, as at 44, to a pair of members 45 offset with respect to the lead-in bushing 5, and connected at 46 to opposite sides of therod contact.

The breaker actuating means (not shown) is connected to an actuating rod 41-, reciprocal movement of which causes opening and closing movement of the rod contact 2 through the linkage 43.

Suitable buffer structure 49 cooperates with the linkage 43 for absorbing the opening shock. Closing of the breaker is effected by lowering of the rod contact 2 into engagement with the"stationary contact structure 3. The contact structure 3 may be of any suitable type, as for example of the oil-blast type, wherein a baiiie arrangement causes an oil blast through the are upon separation of the contacts. The breaker casing is filled with a suitable insulating and are extinguishing liquid 50, as oil, to the level indicated and is provided with a plurality of concentrically ar-' ranged cylindrical insulating liners 5|.

Above the upper casing 8 is mounted a terminal and junction casing 52 similar to 4|, from which the busbar 4 is led. The casings 4| and 52 are each oil filled, as illustrated, and are provided with cylindrical insulating liners 4| and 52'. The disconnecting devices at Band I are likewise oil filled so that the disconnect contacts are likewise insulated by oil in the open circuit position.

The casing 52 likewise supports the motor 25 and mechanism casing 53 associated with the above described disconnecting device and shutter. A similar motor 26 is likewise connected to mechanism at 54 for simultaneously operating the lower disconnecting device which is generally similar to the upper disconnecting device described except for the fact that it is in invertkd position.

It will be observed that the above-described arrangement provides a straight and direct conducting path for the circuit through the complete switchgear unit. This path is not only completely insulated by comparatively few insulating elements but is appreciably shortened and simplified by incorporating the disconnecting and isolating device in the upper and lower lead-in conductor bushings.

For the purpose of venting gas formed in the disconnecting device a tube (Figs. 1 and 2) is connected to the terminal cap l4 and extends into the expansion chamber 55' formed at the upper 55 part of the casing 52. A ball valve 55 serves to close the vent passage when no gas pressure is present.

In operating the switchgear to open and close the circuit and perform the disconnecting and so isolating operations, the circuit breaker mechanism is suitably interlocked with respect to the energizing circuits of the motors 25 so that opening of the disconnecting devices is preceded by opening of the circuit breaker and closing of the 5 circuit breaker is preceded by closing of the disconnecting devices according to wellknown and established practice in the art. Accordingly, upon,

opening of the circuit breaker the disconnecting devices at 5 and I are subsequently operated, as 70 previously described, to disconnect and isolate the breaker terminals with respect to the busbar and feeder. With the apparatus in the open circuit, disconnected and isolated position the circuit breaker I may be entered for inspection or 75 repair without danger.

as indicated, and extending parallel with respect to each other.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specific details 01' construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Electrical switchgear including a circuit breaker having a lead-in conductor bushing, a

movable rod contact and coacting stationary contact structure, relatively movable disconnect contacts in series with said circuit breaker operable within said bushing, and means guiding said rod contact for reciprocal movement within said bushing, said rod contact being electrically connected in sliding relation to one of said disconnect contacts and separately operable with respect to said disconnect contact.

2. Electrical switchgear comprising a circuit breaker having a casing, a lead-in conductor bushing extending within said casing, relatively movable disconnect contacts operable within said bushing, stationary current interrupting contact structure disposed at the lower part of said casing, and a coacting rod contact guided for vertical reciprocal movement in said bushing and electrically connected to one of said disconnect contacts, said disconnect contacts being operable separately with respect to and in series with said circuit breaker contact structure.

3. Electrical switchgear comprising a circuit breaker having a lead-in conductor bushing, a movable rod contact and coacting stationary contact structure, relatively movable disconnect contacts operable within said bushing, a conducting sleeve electrically connected to one of said disconnect contacts disposed within said bushing, said rod contact electrically connected to and guided for reciprocal movement within said conducting sleeve.

4. Electrical switchgear comprising a circuit breaker having a lead-in conductor bushing, a movable rod contact and coacting stationary contact structure, a fixed disconnect contact at one end of said bushing, a coacting movable disconnect contact operable within said bushing, a fixed conductor bushing, said bushing having an intermediate metallic grounded casing and insulators mounted at opposite ends of said casing, a stationary disconnect contact mounted at one end of said bushing on one 01' said insulators, a coacting movable disconnect contact mounted for reciprocal movement within said bushing, said movable contact in the completely open circuit position thereof disposed within said intermediate casing, and isolating means including a shutter disposed in said intermediate caslng arranged to electrically isolate said movable each oi said bushings along said straight conducting path.

7. Electrical switchgear comprising a circuit breaker having a casing. a pair of lead-in conductor bushings mounted respectively in vertical alinement at opposite ends of said'casing, current interrupting contact structure disposed in said casing including. stationary contact structure electrically connected to a terminal of one 0! said bushings at the lower part of said casing and a coacting rod contact vertically movable into the other of said bushings and electrically connected to a terminal thereof at the upper part of said casing. and relatively movable disconnect contacts operable in vertical alinement within each oi. said bushings for connecting and disconnecting said rod contact and stationary contact structure with respect to the associated circuit.

DAVID C. PRINCE. 

